Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025

In one line: A 2025 law that replaced four older statutes with one code for passports, visas, registration and the movement of foreigners.

What it replaced

Before 2025, the field was split across the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act, 2000. The new Act repealed all four. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 11 March 2025, passed by the Lok Sabha on 27 March and by the Rajya Sabha on 2 April 2025, and came into force on 1 September 2025.

Key provisions

• Section 3: every person entering India needs a valid passport or travel document, and a foreigner also needs a valid visa. A foreigner found inadmissible on grounds of national security, sovereignty and integrity, relations with a foreign State or public health shall not be allowed to enter or stay; the Immigration Officer's decision is final and binding.
• A statutory Bureau of Immigration headed by a Commissioner appointed by the Centre.
• Entering without valid documents: up to 5 years in prison, a fine up to ₹5 lakh, or both.

Where to go next

• Fundamental rights available to foreigners
• Writ jurisdiction under Article 226